The ideal preparation for your undergraduate degree in Arts and Design in Italy.
The Foundation Year in Arts and Design gives international students who wish to enroll in an Italian university the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the Italian language and culture while learning the fundamental concepts of art, design, and architecture in Italy.
The program is offered in 2 options:
1. FALL SEMESTER:
- September start
- 9 months on-site
- 660 academic hours
2. SPRING SEMESTER:
- January start
- 6 months on-site
- 420 academic hours
Upon successful completion of the program, students will achieve the CILS B2 level certification (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) and receive academic credits recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, valid for enrollment in Italian undergraduate degree programs.
The Foundation Year grants students conditional pre-enrollment in the MADE Program | Fine Arts and Design Academy in Siracusa, Sicily.
FAQ
1. Does the Foundation Year allow students to enroll in any art and design degree program in Italy?
Upon completion of the Foundation Year program, students may choose to apply to any University or Design Academy in Italy, having achieved the necessary pre-requisites for linguistic competence and the minimum number of secondary school years required for application to undergraduate BA degrees in Italy. Depending on the university, students may be asked to provide additional documentation or to pass an entrance exam for admission to the program of choice.
Completion of the Foundation Year program grants direct admission to the BA courses at MADE Program | Fine Arts and Design Academy in Syracuse.
2. What are the prerequisites for enrollment in the Foundation Year?
Students applying to join the Foundation Year program should provide the following documents:
- Secondary school leaving certificate or diploma
- English language B1 (lower intermediate) level certificate: IELTS 4.5, Cambridge PET or equivalent)
3. What are the program dates and fees?
FALL track: 9-month on-site program:
September 2025 – June 2026
Tuition Fee: € 7,500
Application Fee: € 350
SPRING track: 6-month on-site program
January 2026 – June 2026
Tuition Fee: € 5,600
Application Fee: € 350
4. What are the Fee Payment deadlines?
- 1st instalment (50%) is to be paid at 30 days prior to the start date of the program;
- 2nd instalment (50%) is to be paid within 60 days after the start of the program.
NB. non-EU students that require a study visa should pay the 1st instalment of the Tuition Fees at least 60 days prior to the start of the program in order to receive the letter of enrolment for the Italian consulate. In the unlikely case of visa denial, the Tuition Fees are fully reimbursable.